Are you planning to go abroad to countries like the UK or Canada? Have you compared the cost of living in the UK vs Canada for international students yet?
Don’t worry, in this blog, we are going to give you a ballpark figure for both countries to help you prepare monetarily!
Both countries have a rich history in academia and offer world-renowned universities and colleges. The UK is home to prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London, while Canada boasts top universities such as the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and McGill University.
Both countries offer a wide range of courses across various disciplines, with some of the most popular courses including Business, Engineering, Computer Science, and Medicine. International students have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education and gain valuable international experience while studying in the UK or Canada.
Studying abroad is a dream for many Indian students, but it can often come with a hefty price tag. The cost of living and tuition fees vary greatly depending on the country and city you choose to study in.
In this article, we will compare the costs of living and studying in the UK and Canada for international Indian students. We will also compare the costs of living in the two countries.
Cost of Living & Studying Comparison: UK vs Canada
1. Tuition Fees
The cost of tuition fees can vary depending on the course and university you choose to attend.
In the UK, international students can expect to pay an average of £20,000 to £30,000 per year for undergraduate courses (equivalent to INR 20,00,000 to INR 30,00,000) and £15,000 to £20,000 per year for postgraduate courses (equivalent to INR 15,00,000 to INR 20,00,000), according to the UK Council for International Student Affairs.
In Canada, the average cost of tuition fees for international students is CAD 27,159 per year for undergraduate courses (equivalent to INR 14,84,000) and CAD 16,497 per year for postgraduate courses (equivalent to INR 9,02,000), according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
2. Housing Expenses
The cost of housing can vary depending on the location and type of accommodation.
In the UK, international students can expect to pay an average of £500 to £700 per month for a shared room in a student accommodation (equivalent to INR 50,000 to INR 70,000) or £800 to £1,200 per month for a one-bedroom apartment (equivalent to INR 80,000 to INR 1,20,000), according to the UK Council for International Student Affairs.
In Canada, the cost of accommodation can range from CAD 500 to CAD 1,500 per month (equivalent to INR 27,500 to INR 82,500), depending on the location and type of accommodation, according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
3. Everyday Expenses
Everyday expenses such as food, clothing, and entertainment can vary depending on the location.
In the UK, international students can expect to spend an average of £200 to £300 per month on food (equivalent to INR 20,000 to INR 30,000), £50 to £100 per month on clothing (equivalent to INR 5,000 to INR 10,000), and £50 to £100 per month on entertainment (equivalent to INR 5,000 to INR 10,000), according to the UK Council for International Student Affairs.
In Canada, international students can expect to spend an average of CAD 250 to CAD 350 per month on food (equivalent to INR 13,750 to INR 19,250), CAD 50 to CAD 100 per month on clothing (equivalent to INR 2,750 to INR 5,500), and CAD 50 to CAD 100 per month on entertainment (equivalent to INR 2,750 to INR 5,500), according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
4. Transportation Expenses
Transportation expenses can vary depending on the location and mode of transportation.
In the UK, international students can expect to spend an average of £50 to £100 per month on public transportation (equivalent to INR 5,000 to INR 10,000), according to the UK Council for International Student Affairs.
In Canada, transportation costs can range from CAD 90 to CAD 130 per month (equivalent to INR 4,950 to INR 7,150), depending on the location and type of transportation, according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
5. Healthcare Expenses
Healthcare is another important expense for international Indian students studying in the UK or Canada.
In the UK, international students are eligible for free healthcare under the National Health Service (NHS) if they are enrolled in a course that lasts for six months or longer. However, international students may still need to pay for prescription charges and dental treatment.
In Canada, international students are required to have health insurance. Many universities offer health insurance plans, but students may need to pay additional fees for coverage.
6. Flights Back to India
International students also need to factor in the cost of flights back to India, which can vary depending on the location and time of year.
In the UK, international students can expect to spend an average of £500 to £700 per round-trip ticket to India (equivalent to INR 50,000 to INR 70,000), according to the UK Council for International Student Affairs.
In Canada, international students can expect to spend an average of CAD 1,200 to CAD 1,800 per round-trip ticket to India (equivalent to INR 66,000 to INR 99,000), according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
Education Loan Process for Studying in Canada
Living & Studying Costs UK vs Canada: Which is Cheaper?
Conclusion
the cost of living and studying in the UK and Canada can be expensive for international Indian students. While the cost of tuition fees and housing in the UK may be higher than in Canada, the cost of everyday expenses, transportation, and flights back to India may be lower in the UK.
It is important for international students to research and understand the expenses associated with studying in both countries and plan accordingly.
